Title :
A steerable reflectarray antenna with MEMS controls
Author :
Legay, Hervé ; Pinte, Béatrice ; Charrier, Michel ; Ziaei, Afshin ; Girard, Etienne ; Gillard, Raphael
Author_Institution :
Alcatel Space, Toulouse, France
Abstract :
A reflectarray antenna in Ka-band is currently developed under the French research project ARRESAT. Reflectarrays become attractive for satellite telecommunications, as long as they exhibit low losses. Due to the emergence of the MEMS technology, such features may be obtained. This communication presents a potential application mission, and the development of low losses phase shift elements, using MEMS switches. The technological and electrical considerations that govern the accommodations of these switches within the reflectarray are detailed. Measurements of the active phase shift elements are shown.
Keywords :
microswitches; millimetre wave antenna arrays; satellite communication; Ka-band; MEMS controls; MEMS switches; low losses phase shift elements; microelectromechanical systems; satellite telecommunications; steerable reflectarray antenna; Artificial satellites; Costs; Fabrication; Low earth orbit satellites; Micromechanical devices; Microswitches; Reflector antennas; Satellite antennas; Space technology; Switches;
Conference_Titel :
Phased Array Systems and Technology, 2003. IEEE International Symposium on
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-7827-X
DOI :
10.1109/PAST.2003.1257031
